Saturday EB

Good ride this morning out via Embsay abd back via Barden and the Langbar. Back in town for 830 so it was fast. A beautiful morning.

Rest

My wedding anniversary today (10 years!) so a lie-in this morning and a day of rest. Out in the evening for a moderate amount of merrymaking and cavorting with Mrs Gizz!

Cavendish, Langbar, Leeds and Back

Hard day in the saddle, about 50 odd miles with a full hard day at work in the middle.

At least the roads were dry and there was little wind.

Kept my HR in the 150s when going up the chevin climb (seated). This is the way to do it for the etape.

However, when I was with cacophony going up Langbar (albeit much faster and out of the saddle) I was in the 170s. Good training, but not sustainable for a long climb.

Wet, Wet, Wet

Up early today - no other EBers braved the rain, so I set off to Leeds in a torrential downpour.

Made it in one piece, almost enjoyed slogging up the east Chevin.

I was going to get the train home but decided at the last minute to brave the rain again and cycle home, thoroughly wet through.

The other great thing about today was that I had an email out of the blue from an old friend (Simon G). he is actually really into cycling as well - although he is a lot faster and better than me I think! It would be good to get our boys across to Derry for a ride with his clubmates or get them over here sometime.

Dead legs

Out again this morning with the EBs. We were planning to do a 75 mile route (same as I did last Saturday), but my legs were dead from the start. The combination of a day with no food after a week off ill, and then two days drinking and some hard cycling and my legs finally gave up!

I cut the ride short but ended up doing about 55 miles.

Garmin output at: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5771029

Not disappointed at all - it was still a great ride and knocking out a hilly 55 miler in the high winds when I'm far from my best is pretty good.

Rest tomorrow, and a good night's sleep tonight.

Hangover on the WYCR

Last night was Eurovision - and we had our usual party in honour of all things European and kitcsh!

Unfortunately, drinking tumblers of saffron gin at 2am in the morning was not good preperation for this morning's ride.

We had some friends over today, and Jason is planning to do a London to Paris ride in July so is trying to get some miles in. Our cunning plan was for me to cycle over to Brighouse (where Jason lives) and cycle back with him whilst his wife and family drove over to meet us at our place.

This was so I get some big miles in and we get our ride out of the way so we could do something with our families in the afternoon.

But I was still drunk setting off, and Jason ended up riding out to meet me (near Odsal), and then we headed out via Queensbury and Denholm to Haworth. We then picked up the West Yorkshire Cycle Route from Haworth and headed north and home. It actually ended up being a really interesting ride with some challenging climbs on some new roads I hadn't been on before. About 50 miles altogether.

Garmin put at: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5771030

Jason enjoyed it too, although I don't think he was too used to so many climbs - but he climbed really well and looked good.

For the rest of the day we picnicked and explored and played football in the park and had a generally top day (with the 6 kids between both families). Lots more beers and food as well.

Burnsall at speed

Did the EB standard ride down to Burnsall and back this morning. We did it at quite a speed (back for 830). Despite not having eaten much for the last few days I felt ok although obviously not at my best. Great to be back out on the road though.

Garmin output at: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5771031